Secure remote actuation system

ABSTRACT

A secure remote actuation system may comprise a central signal switch and a remote input receptor. The central signal switch may comprise one or more acceptable inputs. The remote input receptor may comprise a user interface for receiving one or more user inputs from a user. The remote input receptor may further comprise a microcontroller for obtaining and comparing the acceptable inputs to the user inputs. In the present invention, the microcontroller obtains the one or more acceptable inputs from the central signal switch after the user begins to use the user interface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to remote actuation systemscomprising devices capable of performing remote operations. Examples oftypical remote actuation systems include thermostats, which may controlheating and cooling devices from a remote location, and garage dooropeners, which may provide remote access to secured areas. The remoteportions of such devices commonly require a portable power source, suchas a battery or photovoltaic cell. It is also typical of such devices tocomprise communications means, such as a radio frequency transceiver, toreceive and/or relay information.

For example U.S. Pat. No. 8,331,544 to Kraus et al., which isincorporated herein for all that it discloses, describes a system thatremotely operates a door lock. The door lock may be powered by a batteryand be configured to send and receive radio frequency signals as part ofa mesh network. In such a mesh network, each connected device acts as acommunication node that can send and receive packets of information toany other device in the network. The door lock may further comprise amemory module where individual user codes are stored and a logic moduleto compare user codes to input codes at the door to allow accessdecisions to be made at the door without transmissions.

Such systems typically require continuing communications over a networkthat may cause rapid consumption of power. Thus, various attempts havebeen made to conserve power in such systems. For example, U.S. Pat. No.4,614,945 to Brunius, et al., which is incorporated herein for all thatit discloses, describes communicating information between a plurality ofinstrument monitoring units to a remotely located data collection unit.The monitoring units are radio frequency transponder circuits that areoperatively connected to one or more instruments whose parameters arebeing monitored. The transponders continuously monitor one or moreparameters of the instrument(s) with which they are associated. Thetransponders collect and accumulate parameter information and/or datafrom their associated instruments and continually listen for a “wake-up”signal from a interrogate receiver/data collection unit.

Despite these advances in the art, improved means of conserving power inremote actuation systems is desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A secure remote actuation system may comprise a central signal switchand a remote input receptor. The central signal switch may comprise oneor more acceptable inputs. The remote input receptor may comprise a userinterface for receiving one or more user inputs from a user. The remoteinput receptor may further comprise a microcontroller for obtaining andcomparing the acceptable inputs to the user inputs. In the presentinvention, the microcontroller obtains the one or more acceptable inputsfrom the central signal switch after the user begins to use the userinterface.

The remote input receptor may also comprise an internal memory unit. Theinternal memory unit may store acceptable inputs, user inputs, a historyof user inputs or various input parameters. The input receptor mayadditionally comprise at least one communication device, such as a radiofrequency transceiver, for receiving and sending the acceptable inputsor user inputs. The remote input receptor may furthermore comprise aportable power source, such as a battery or solar panel.

The remote input receptor may be capable of executing a low powerfunction after it compares the acceptable inputs to the user inputs,wherein power is cut from unneeded subsystems and reduced in othersuntil reactivated. The remote input receptor may exit the low powerfunction when the user begins to use the user interface or when asurveillance device, forming part of the remote input receptor, detectsa user. The surveillance device may comprise a camera, a microphone, aproximity sensor, or a combination thereof.

The user interface may comprise buttons, a visual display, one or morecapacitive sensors, a microphone, a vibration recognition module, aproximity sensor, a fingerprint scanner, a retina scanner, or a voicerecognition module, or a combination thereof as a means for receivingacceptable inputs from a user.

The remote input receptor and/or the central signal switch may comprisedata connection ports. Such data connection ports may be disposed in aninterior of either the remote input receptor or the central signalswitch.

The central signal switch may be connected to a network for receivingthe acceptable inputs. Such a network may comprise a softwareapplication for a user to control the acceptable inputs at the centralsignal switch. The central signal switch further comprises an internalmemory unit for storing acceptable inputs, a history of acceptableinputs, or input parameters.

The central signal switch may be connected to and control one or moreactionable devices such as a thermostat, a television, an automatedwindow, automated blinds, a ventilation system, a sprinkler system, alighting element, an indoor positioning system, or an access controldevice. The access control device may be an electromechanical lockingmechanism or a garage door opener that may secure an enclosed area,room, building, or delivery box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c show perspective views of an embodiment of a remoteinput receptor comprising a user interface, a portion of a user, and asignal switch.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of elements of an embodiment of a remotesecure access system associated with an enclosed area.

FIG. 3a shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a remote inputreceptor.

FIG. 3b shows a partially cutaway perspective view of an interior of theremote input receptor shown in FIG. 3a comprising a plurality ofcomponents supported by a printed circuit board disposed therein.

FIG. 4 shows a partially cutaway perspective view of an interior of anembodiment of a central signal switch comprising a plurality ofcomponents supported by a printed circuit board disposed therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1a shows an embodiment of an input receptor 100 a, a central signalswitch 110 a, and a user 120 a. The input receptor 100 a may comprise auser interface 101 a for receiving one or more user inputs from the user120 a. The user interface 101 a shown comprises one or more buttons 102a. Such user interfaces may also comprise a visual display, one or morecapacitive sensors, a microphone, a vibration recognition module, aproximity sensor, a fingerprint scanner, a retina scanner, a voicerecognition module, or other known interfacing means.

FIG. 1b shows an embodiment of a user 120 b entering one or more userinputs into an input receptor 100 b by pressing at least one button 102b on a user interface 101 b. When the user 120 b begins to use the userinterface 101 b, the input receptor 100 b may receive a permissionsignal 130 b from a central signal switch 110 b.

FIG. 1c shows an embodiment of a user 120 c after entering one or moreuser inputs into a user interface 101 c by pressing at least one button102 c. At this point, an input receptor 100 c may send an actuationsignal 140 c to a central signal switch 110 c. The actuation signal 140c may direct the central signal switch 110 c to perform some operation.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an enclosed area 250 comprising an accessbarrier 260, such as a door, for blocking or allowing access to theenclosed area 250. The access barrier 260 may comprise an actionabledevice 270, such as a door lock or a garage door motor, for permittingor denying access to the enclosed area 250. A central signal switch 210may be connected to the actionable device 270, wherein the centralsignal switch 210 may be capable of actuating the actionable device 270.

An input receptor 200 capable of receiving one or more user inputs maybe disposed in, near, or on an exterior 251 of the enclosed area 250.The input receptor 200 may be connected to the central signal switch 210via a wireless connection 290. As a user begins supplying a user inputto the input receptor 200, the central signal switch 210 may send a listof acceptable inputs to the input receptor 200 over the wirelessconnection 290. If the user input is found to be acceptable at the inputreceptor 200, such as being one of the acceptable inputs received, theinput receptor 200 may send an actuation signal to the central signalswitch 210 over the wireless connection 290 indicating that the centralsignal switch 210 should perform a given operation, such as opening orclosing the access barrier 260, or engaging or disengaging a door lock.

The central signal switch 210 may also be connected to a network 2000,such as a local area network or the Internet. The central signal switch210 may receive digital data through the network 2000 from one or moreelectronic devices 2100 also connected to the network 2000. In theembodiment shown, the one or more electronic devices 2100 comprises asmartphone, however, other embodiments may comprise a laptop or desktopcomputer, a tablet, or other devices capable of communicating over sucha network. The one or more electronic devices 2100 may comprise asoftware application for management of the central signal switch 210,including creating, deleting, or editing one or more acceptable inputs.

Additionally, the software application may be used to create, delete, oredit one or more input parameters. Such input parameters may be used todetermine one or more conditions upon which an actuation system mayoperate. For example, input parameters may include a time window duringwhich the input receptor 200 may send an actuation signal to the centralsignal switch 210, a limitation on which one or more user inputs may besupplied to gain access to the secure area 250, or a limitation on howmany times one or more user inputs may be used for sending an actuationsignal to the central signal switch 210.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show a perspective view and a partially-cutawayperspective view, respectively, of an embodiment of an input receptor300 b comprising an interface 301 a and an interior 306 b with aplurality of components supported by a printed circuit board 309 bdisposed therein.

The printed circuit board 309 b may support a microcontroller 311 b, aninternal memory unit 302 b, and a communication device 303 b. A user maybegin using the input receptor 300 b by supplying a user input to theinterface 301 a. After this occurs, the microcontroller 311 b may obtaina list of acceptable inputs from a central signal switch (not shown) viathe communication device 303 b and store them in the internal memoryunit 302 b. After a user has supplied one or more user inputs to theinterface 301 a, the microcontroller 311 b may compare the user input tothe acceptable inputs. If the user input corresponds to one or more ofthe acceptable inputs, then the input receptor 300 b may transmit anactuation signal to the central signal switch.

The communication device 303 b may comprise a radio frequencytransceiver or other known communication apparatus. The communicationdevice 303 b may communicate at a sub 1-GHz frequency. It may beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that communications atsub-1 GHz frequencies may be more capable of propagating throughenvironmental obstacles, such as a plurality of walls in a residentialhome, than communications at frequencies higher than 1 GHz. It maytherefore be desirable for said communication device 303 b to transmitsignals at a sub-1 GHz frequency. In some applications, it may bedesirable to communicate at a 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz frequency to achievecompatibility with other devices, such as those that communicate usingZigBee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.

The input receptor 300 b may be powered by a portable power source 304b, such as one or more galvanic or voltaic batteries, one or more solarcells, or other known means of portable power. The input receptor 300 bmay execute a low power function after a user has submitted a user inputto the user interface 301 a. Such a low power function may be executedfor a predetermined amount of time or until a user starts to use theuser interface 301 a again. When the low power function is executed, theinput receptor 300 b may cut power from unneeded subsystems and reducepower in others until reactivated. This low power function, combinedwith not requiring continuous intermittent communication with thenetwork, may enable the portable power source 304 b of the inputreceptor 300 b to last significantly longer than portable power sourcesof other known remote actuation systems.

The input receptor 300 b may further comprise one or more surveillancedevices 305 b, such as a security camera, a microphone, a proximitysensor, or other known surveillance means. For example, a securitycamera may be disposed within the interior 306 b of the input receptor300 b, with a lens of the camera extending through an exterior 307 b ofthe input receptor 300 b. The one or more security devices 305 b maycontinuously gather and transmit information from an environment to acentral signal switch as shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, the one or moresurveillance devices 305 b may trigger the input receptor 300 b to exitthe low power function when the one or more surveillance devices 305 bdetect a user.

The input receptor 300 b may comprise one or more data connection ports308 b for interacting with firmware of the input receptor 300 b, such asaltering or updating the firmware, running system diagnostics, ormanaging acceptable inputs and/or input parameters. In some embodiments,such firmware functions may also be performed via a network. The one ormore data connection ports 308 b may be disposed on the interior 306 bof the input receptor 300 b to aid in preventing undesired access oraccumulation of debris from the surrounding environment. The one or moredata connection ports 308 b may be able to be accessed by detaching aportion of the exterior 307 b of the input receptor 300 b.

FIG. 4 shows an interior 406 of an embodiment of a central signal switch410 with a plurality of components supported by a printed circuit board409 disposed therein. An actionable device 470, shown as a garage dooropener, may be connected to and controlled by the central signal switch410.

The central signal switch 410 may comprise a microcontroller 411 and aninternal memory unit 412 for obtaining and storing one or moreacceptable inputs and/or input parameters. The central signal switch 410may also comprise a communication device 413, such as a radio frequencytransceiver, for transmitting the one or more acceptable inputs to aninput receptor (not shown) after a user begins to enter one or more userinputs. The communication device 413 may also receive an actuationsignal from the input receptor after the user has supplied one or moreuser inputs and those user inputs have been found to be acceptable. Whenthe central signal switch 410 receives an actuation signal from an inputreceptor, the central signal switch 410 may send a command to theactionable device 470, a network, or a combination thereof, to performan operation. The central signal switch 410 may further comprise aportable power source 404 to provide backup power in case of a powerloss.

In various embodiments, an actionable device may comprise an accesscontrol device, such as an electromechanical door lock, a garage doormotor, or another access restricting mechanism. Actuation of the accesscontrol device may comprise an opening of a door or an engagement ordisengagement of a lock. In these embodiments, a user may gain access toa secure area by supplying inputs to an input receptor that match one ormore acceptable inputs. In other embodiments, the actionable device maycomprise a thermostat, a television, an automated window, automatedblinds, a ventilation system, a sprinkler system, a lighting element, anindoor positioning system or other such devices known in the art.

The central signal switch 410 may further comprise at least one dataconnection port 408 for interacting with firmware of the central signalswitch 410, such as altering or updating the firmware, running systemdiagnostics, or managing acceptable inputs and/or input parameters. Thedata connection port 408 may be disposed on an interior 406 of thecentral signal switch 410, to aid in preventing undesired access oraccumulation of debris.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relationto the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other andfurther modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein, may bemade within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A secure remote actuation system comprising: acentral signal switch disposed inside an enclosure, the central signalswitch storing therein one or more acceptable user codes; a remote inputreceptor disposed outside the enclosure and wirelessly connected to thecentral signal switch, the remote input receptor comprising: a userinterface that receives one or more user inputs from a user; and amicrocontroller that obtains and compares said one or more acceptableuser codes to said one or more user inputs; wherein the microcontrollerobtains said one or more acceptable user codes from the central signalswitch as the user begins to use the user interface.
 2. The secureremote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the input receptor furthercomprises an internal memory unit that stores: said one or moreacceptable user codes after receiving said user codes from the centralsignal switch; said one or more user inputs; a history of user inputs;one or more input parameters; or a combination thereof.
 3. The secureremote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the remote input receptorfurther comprises one or more communication devices that receives andsends said one or more acceptable user codes or said one or more userinputs.
 4. The secure remote actuation system of claim 3, wherein saidone or more communication devices is a radio frequency transceiver. 5.The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the remote inputreceptor further comprises a portable power source.
 6. The secure remoteactuation system of claim 1, wherein the remote input receptor executesa low power function after said one or more acceptable user codes iscompared to said one or more user inputs, and exits said low powerfunction when the user begins to use the user interface.
 7. The secureremote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the remote input receptorfurther comprises a surveillance device that detects the user.
 8. Thesecure remote actuation system of claim 7, wherein the surveillancedevice comprises a camera, a microphone, a proximity sensor, or acombination thereof.
 9. The secure remote actuation system of claim 7,wherein the remote input receptor executes a low power function aftersaid one or more acceptable user codes is compared to said one or moreuser inputs, and exits said low power function when the surveillancedevice detects a user.
 10. The secure remote actuation system of claim1, wherein the user interface comprises buttons, a visual display, oneor more capacitive sensors, a microphone, a vibration recognitionmodule, a proximity sensor, a fingerprint scanner, a retina scanner, avoice recognition module, or a combination thereof.
 11. The secureremote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the remote input receptor orthe central signal switch, or both, comprise one or more data connectionports.
 12. The secure remote actuation system of claim 11, wherein theone or more data connection ports is disposed in an interior of theremote input receptor or the central signal switch, or both.
 13. Thesecure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the central signalswitch is connected to a network through which the central signal switchreceives said one or more acceptable user codes.
 14. The secure remoteactuation system of claim 13, wherein said network comprises a softwareapplication allowing an individual to control said one or moreacceptable user codes at said central signal switch.
 15. The secureremote actuation system of claim 1, wherein said central signal switchfurther comprises an internal memory unit for storing: said one or moreacceptable inputs; a history of acceptable user codes; one or more inputparameters; or a combination thereof.
 16. The secure remote actuationsystem of claim 1, wherein said central signal switch is connected toand controls one or more actionable devices.
 17. The secure remoteactuation system of claim 16, wherein said one or more actionabledevices is an access control device, a thermostat, a television, anautomated window, automated blinds, a ventilation system, a sprinklersystem, a lighting element, an indoor positioning system, or acombination thereof.
 18. The secure remote actuation system of claim 17,wherein said access control device is an electromechanical lockingmechanism.
 19. The secure remote actuation system of claim 17, whereinsaid access control device is a garage door opener.
 20. The secureremote actuation system of claim 17, wherein said access control devicesecures the enclosure, and wherein the enclosure comprises one or moreof an enclosed area, room, building, or delivery box.